Ocean City Free Public Library Book Blog

Melissa Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson This fantasy story follows the main character, Vin, who is a young female thief trying to survive on the streets. When she gets saved by an ambitious leader of thieving crew, she gets swept away along with their plans to overthrow the unjust government and comes across something she never expected: people she can truly trust. The characters are realistic and the story shows how people can have hope even after experiencing horrible things. Quite simply, I loved this book. Shoot Like a Girl by Mary Jennings Hegar This is a nonfiction account of an Air National Guard’s experiences in three tours of Afghanistan piloting medevac missions. Told in her point of view, this story shows her - at times strenuous - journey to rescue her allies in the middle of a firefight despite being injured. Her story become a pilot, leading up to a intense mission where she still manages to she kept fighting for women’s rights back hom...

James Eragon   by  Christopher Paolini A great fantasy book for all ages. The story is written well and shares the life of a young farm boy who is cast into a world of magic and dragons without much say in it. Losing his family and loved ones while fighting off evil forces with his blade. The choices the main character has to make also makes the reader question what would be the best option, and how it’ll affect the story. My Hero Academia by  Kohei Horikoshi  A heart warming yet intense story of superheros and a sense of rags to riches is within this Japanese comic. The story of a young boy born without powers in a world where everyone is super, makes him lesser for being different. The story  is based off of him wishing to be a great hero. Eventually gaining the abilities to achieve his dream he embarks on a journey of entering a super school to learn how to become the best hero he can be. Simon vs. The Homo Sapiens Agen...

Taimi The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley This Newbery Honor recipient takes place in England during World War II. I enjoyed getting to know Ada, a 10 yr. old Londoner who is born with a club foot, and celebrated with her as she overcame many obstacles throughout this novel. Although technically it is a children's book, I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or titles that captures the strength of the human spirit. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, "The War I Finally Won" which will be released this fall.  The Plot To Kill Hitler: Dietrich Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Spy, Unlikely Hero  by Patricia McCormick This well-researched narrative describes not only the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, but also the German Resistance. McCormick also highlights important historical events occurring in Germany during this time period. I learned much about the German opposition to Hitler during this suspense...

Frank Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson A tragic mix of evolutionary development of submarine technology, politics of neutrality, and personal insights to the lives of her passengers.  Interesting Factoid: After the Titanic sank, new and safer life-jackets were designed. While they were installed on the Lusitania, there were no drills held that required the jackets to be used. The torpedoed ship sank within sight of Ireland, and many died because they stepped into the jack  rather than putting their arms through the armholes. Many ended up flipping upside down in the water and couldn't escape.  A Gentleman in Moscow  by Amor Towles Rostov the ever gentleman versus the Bolsheviks, all while sentenced to be a prisoner inside the Metropol Hotel. Great character, pathos and twists contained within while the outside world changes over a thirty-year period. Thomas Jefferson and the Tripoli Pirates: The Forgotten War ...

Melissa  Dark Matter   by Blake Crouch A wonderful fast pace and intense novel. This book is both for the science fiction and suspense fiction fans out there. Those who are interested in alternate world and reality changing stories should pick this novel up. It was unexpected and completely captivating until the end. I really enjoyed this book. Reality is  Not W hat it Seems  : the Journey to Quantum Gravity     by Carlo Rovelli This is one of those books that is great at captivating and tricking the reader in to reading about a subject that many are not interested in, PHYSICS. From not knowing much about physics, this book was a great introduction not only in to the field, but the history and development of the science. It led into what really is quantum physics and not just this grand idea of what it is. It was really engaging and when reading the book you can feel and start to understand Rovelli's excitement and enthusiasm for th...

This book is great for those who love short stories and science fiction. Invisible Planets is a great book to pick up when one wants to escape into the realm of science fiction. Written by Chinese authors and translated into English there is something unique with these stories. Included are essays from Chinese and science fiction scholars including the authors explaining how there is this genre of science fiction that is not only under the radar but  how this anthology is showcasing the uniqueness of the writings and giving us the reader just a glimpse into something buried.  I enjoyed the book and can not pick a favorite story. Each one had some element that I would not have thought about. From ghosts, robots, genetic mutations, to time distortion, that are many elements that were captivating. If you want to get lost in a book, this is a good choice. Pick up Invisible Planets  today at The Ocean City Free Public Library 

  From the best-selling author of The Alchemist,  Paulo Coelho's  new book is about espionage, tragedy and a story of a woman who wanted to create her own life.  Told through Mata Hari's final letter while in prison, The Spy is the unforgettable story of a woman who dared to fight against traditions and created a life of her own imagining. It is with this unique spirit that helped set course what would be a life that would later be intertwined in espionage at the height of the panic during WWI. A great fictionalized snippet of what could have happened in the final moments of the once famous dancer that came and went in history as both enchanting and dangerous.        If you want to read The Spy   by Paulo Coelho, pick up a copy at The Ocean City Free Public Library.